Cosmetic applicator

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of an applicator for applying a cosmetic product are disclosed. The applicator may include at least two applicator elements, each including at least one periodic pattern with at least one undulation, where the at least two periodic patterns may be different from one another.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/460,879, filed on Apr. 8, 2003.

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmeticproduct (where the term “cosmetic product” includes care products aswell as other products, such as makeup, for example). In particular,various exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to an applicatorfor a nail varnish and/or mascara.

There are various applicators for applying cosmetic products to nails oreyelashes, that include a mixture of different bristles. For example,European Patent Application No. EP 0 556 081 discloses a brush forapplying a varnish to nails, where the brush comprises a mixture ofbristles of different diameters.

European Patent No. EP 0 239 270 describes a mascara brush that combinesflexible bristles and stiff bristles so as to increase the amount ofmascara that can be picked up and to improve combing of the eyelashes.

European Patent Application No. EP A 0 651 955 discloses a brush forapplying a varnish to nails. The brush comprises two sets of bristleshaving different mechanical properties in order to form relatively largespaces between the bristles and to retain a larger quantity of varnish.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,554 discloses a mascara brush comprising bristleshaving a cross-section, the diameter of which alternates between alarger diameter and a smaller diameter over the entire length of thebristles.

However, there still exists a need to further improve the performance ofa cosmetic applicator, in particular, with respect to the amount ofcosmetic product to be carried by the applicator, while still allowingthe applicator to be reliable and simple to manufacture. There alsoexists a need for a cosmetic applicator that is capable of applyingsubstances having a variety of viscosities.

Although the present invention may obviate one or more of theabove-mentioned needs, it should be understood that some aspects of theinvention might not necessarily obviate one or more of those needs.

In the following description, certain aspects and embodiments willbecome evident. It should be understood that the invention, in itsbroadest sense, could be practiced without having one or more featuresof these aspects and embodiments. It should be understood that theseaspects and embodiments are merely exemplary.

In one aspect, as embodied and broadly described herein, the inventionincludes an applicator for applying a cosmetic product (e.g., nailvarnish or mascara), comprising a plurality of applicator elements(e.g., bristles and/or teeth). The plurality of applicator elements maycomprise at least two applicator elements. Each of the at least twoapplicator elements may comprise at least one periodic pattern. The atleast one period pattern may comprise at least one undulation, and atleast two periodic patterns of the applicator elements may be differentfrom one another.

Another aspect of the invention may include an applicator for applying acosmetic product, comprising a plurality of bristles. The plurality ofbristles may comprise at least two bristles. Each of the at least twobristles may comprise at least one periodic pattern, wherein at leasttwo periodic patterns of the bristles may be different from one another.

Still another aspect of the invention may include an applicator forapplying a cosmetic product, where the applicator may comprise at leasttwo bristles, each comprising at least one undulating portion. Theundulating portions of the two bristles may differ from each other in atleast one of their shapes, frequencies, and amplitudes. At least one ofthe undulating portions may present a pattern that may repeatperiodically.

As used herein, the term “periodic pattern” is intended to designate aportion of an applicator element (e.g., a portion of a bristle), wherethe portion is substantially reproduced in a periodic manner along theapplicator element.

A periodic pattern comprising at least one undulation may becharacterized by three components, namely its shape (e.g., sinusoidal orsawtooth), its amplitude (i.e., its size measured in a directionorthogonal to the general longitudinal direction of the applicatorelement), and its spatial frequency (i.e. the number of patternsreproduced per unit length of the applicator element). The same patternmay be repeated several times over the entire length of the applicatorelement. Alternatively or additionally, an applicator element maycomprise a single pattern or less than a single pattern.

According to an aspect of the invention, the length of a periodicpattern may substantially correspond to the length of the applicatorelement. In that case, the shape of the pattern may be defined by aperiodic function, such as, for example, a sinusoidal function or asawtooth generator. By way of example, a bristle having a length of aperiodic pattern may be made from a fiber of greater length having anumber of periodic patterns by cutting the fiber into smaller piecesconstituting the periodic pattern. The manufacture of such a bristle maybe made easier by the fact that the pattern may repeat periodically.

For example, when the applicator element is a bristle, a periodicpattern may also comprise at least one portion having a rough surfacewhich may be associated, for example, with one or more fillers in thebristle material or on its surface. Alternatively or additionally, thebristle may comprise one or more notches. The periodic pattern may becharacterized by the frequency and/or the shape of the notches, or bythe frequency and/or the distribution per unit area of the fillerswithin a given pattern.

According to another aspect of the invention, a periodic pattern mayalso be formed by periodically varying the cross-section of the bristlealong its length.

In still another aspect, a periodic pattern of a bristle may comprise atleast one undulation, and/or at least one filler, and/or at least onevariation in the cross-section of the bristle, and/or at least onenotch, and/or at least one relief portion.

Some embodiments may facilitate formation of spaces between applicatorelements (e.g., bristles), which may make it easier to retain substanceby capillarity, compared to bristles formed entirely of rectilinearshape or of the same pattern. This may improve the amount of substancethe applicator can retain, thus enabling a user to apply the substanceon, for example, the nails in a single layer of sufficient thickness.

When at least some embodiments are used with a wiper, the applicator mayretain more substance between the applicator elements (e.g., bristles),while passing through the wiper, than an amount of substance that anapplicator having bristles formed entirely of rectilinear shape or ofthe same pattern may retain.

In another aspect of the invention, by having the periodic patternsand/or undulating portions, the applicator elements may possess agreater flexibility than applicator elements that are purelyrectilinear.

In some embodiments, the distribution of the free ends of bristleshaving different periodic patterns may be made more uniform.

In another aspect of the invention, two different periodic patterns maybelong to two distinct bristles. For example, the two different periodicpatterns may comprise at least one periodic pattern of one bristle andat least one periodic pattern of another bristle distinct from said onebristle.

In still another aspect of the invention, two different periodicpatterns may belong to the same bristle. For example, the two differentperiodic patterns may be periodic patterns of the same bristle.

In yet still another aspect of the invention, different periodicpatterns may present undulations of different shapes. For example, eachof the at least two different periodic patterns may comprise at leastone undulation having a shape that is different from a shape of at leastone undulation of another of the at least two different periodicpatterns. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the at least two differentperiodic patterns may comprise a sawtooth shape, while another of the atleast two different periodic patterns may comprise a sinusoidal shape.

According to another aspect of the invention, different periodicpatterns may also present undulations of different amplitudes. Forexample, each of the at least two different periodic patterns maycomprise at least one undulation having an amplitude that is differentfrom an amplitude of an undulation of another of the at least twodifferent periodic patterns.

In still another aspect, the patterns may be of the same shape. Forexample, both of the two different periodic patterns may be a sawtoothshape or a sinusoidal shape. The patterns may also be of differentshapes. The patterns may or may not have the same spatial frequency.

The amplitude of a pattern may range from 20 micrometers (μm) to 3millimeters (mm), for example.

In yet still another aspect of the invention, the different periodicpatterns may comprise undulations of different spatial frequencies. Forexample, each of the at least two different periodic patterns maycomprise at least one undulation having a spatial frequency that isdifferent from a spatial frequency of an undulation of another of the atleast two different periodic patterns. Such patterns may compriseundulations of the same shape and/or amplitude.

The spatial frequency of a pattern may range from 1/24 to ¼ of a patternper millimeter of bristle, for example.

In another aspect of the invention, two different periodic patterns maycomprise undulations of different shapes, amplitudes, and spatialfrequencies. Alternatively, the two periodic patterns may differ only inone or two of the shapes, amplitudes, and spatial frequencies.

According to still another aspect of the invention, the applicator mayinclude more than two sets of bristles with different periodic patterns,and the proportion of bristles presenting the same pattern may vary to alarge extent. For example, the applicator may comprise 50% bristles witha first pattern and 50% bristles with a second pattern that is differentfrom the first pattern.

Other distributions are also possible. For example, 1% to 99% of thebristles may comprise the same periodic pattern. In some embodiments,20% to 80% of the bristles may comprise the same periodic pattern. Forsome embodiments, 30% to 60% of the bristles may comprise the sameperiodic pattern. These values are intended to be exemplary rather thanlimiting.

In another aspect of the invention, the applicator may include at leastone bristle comprising at least one rectilinear portion. Alternativelyor additionally, the applicator may include at least one bristle that isentirely rectilinear.

In another aspect, the applicator may include at least one bristlecomprising at least one rectilinear portion and at least one periodicpattern comprising at least one undulation.

In still another aspect, at least one of the bristles may comprise aplurality of periodic patterns along its entire length.

In yet still another aspect, the applicator may include at least twobristles of different lengths. For example, at least two of the bristlesmay comprise lengths different from one another.

According to an aspect of the invention, at least one of the bristlesmay comprise a twisted bristle, at least over a fraction of its length.

By way of example, the applicator may include bristles of diameterranging from 0.05 to 0.4 millimeter.

In another aspect of the invention, the applicator may include at leasttwo bristles of different diameters. In other words, one of the bristlesmay have a diameter that is different from a diameter of another of thebristles.

In accordance with still another aspect, at least one of the bristlesmay comprise a circular cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, atleast one of the bristles may comprise a non-circular cross-section.When the bristle does not have a circular cross-section, the term“bristle diameter” is used to mean the diameter of the circlecircumscribing the largest cross-section of the bristle.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the bristles may be made ofsynthetic material. For example, the bristles may comprise athermoplastic material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer. In anotheraspect, at least one of the bristles may comprise a natural fiber.

In still another aspect, the bristles may be of different kinds. Forexample, the bristles may comprise at least two different kinds ofbristles, such as, for example, bristles made out of materials havingdifferent vitreous transition temperatures.

In yet still another aspect, the bristles may comprise cross-sectionsthat are solid or hollow, circular or non-circular, or constant ornon-constant. For example, at least one of the bristles may comprise ahollow or solid cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, at leastone of the bristles may comprise a constant or non-constantcross-section along the length of the bristle. In an exemplaryembodiment, at least one of the bristles may comprise an alternatingcross-section along the length of the bristle between sections of alarger diameter and sections of a smaller diameter. The bristles mayoptionally carry a coating of flocking.

As mentioned above, the bristles may also include a filler over theirentire length or over a fraction of the length. Such a filler mayinclude, but be not limited to, a magnetic compound, amoisture-absorbing compound, a compound for creating roughness at thesurface of the bristle, a compound for improving sliding, or anycombination thereof. The filler may be distributed in such a manner asto create a periodic pattern.

In an aspect of the invention, the applicator may constitute a brush,such as a mascara brush. In some embodiments, the undulating bristlesmay make it possible to obtain a distribution of the free ends of thebristles along the length of the brush that may be more uniform thanthat of rectilinear bristles.

For some embodiments, undulating bristles may cross one another (e.g.,when the applicator is viewed in a direction perpendicular to its axis)so as to increase the amount of substance that can be picked up by thebristles and to improve the combing of, for example, eyelashes oreyebrows, where appropriate.

In still another aspect, the brush may comprise a twisted coresupporting the bristles. The bristles may be made in a manner other thanthat involving injection-molding bristles together with a core (e.g., bymaking the bristle by injection molding before securing them to thecore). In yet another aspect, the bristles may be secured to the brushby a suitable securing mechanism, such as adhesion, stapling,overmolding, or any other mechanism known in the art. In a variant, thebristles may be secured to the brush by stamping a support. In anothervariant, the bristles may be secured to the brush in a row. The brushmay be arranged to pick up substance from a cake of substance. Thebristles may extend only from one side of a support.

According to another aspect of the invention, an envelope surface of thebrush may comprise a variety of different cross-sectional shapes. Forexample, the cross-sectional shapes may be substantially circular, oval,or polygonal, and/or include one or more notches or indentations.

In still another aspect of the invention, the core may be centered oroff-centered relative to a cross-section of the envelope surface. In yetstill another aspect, the cross-section of the envelope surface may beconstant or non-constant over at least a fraction of the length of thebrush. Alternatively or additionally, at least portion of the brush maycomprise a cross-section that passes through an extremum between its twoaxial ends, said extremum being a maximum or a minimum, for example.

In another aspect of the invention, the core may be rectilinear.Alternatively, at least a portion of the core may be curved. Forexample, the curvature may be distributed over the entire length of thecore or may be localized only in a portion where the brush is fixed to astem of an applicator. Where appropriate, the brush may be curved aboutat least two axes that are not coplanar.

With a twisted core, the brush may comprise 5 to 60 bristles per turn,for example. The number of bristles per turn may correspond to thenumber of bristle ends that may be counted by a stationary observerwhile turning the brush 180° about its core.

In another aspect of the invention, the length of the bristles may rangefrom 1 mm to 7 mm. In still another aspect, the length of the bristlesmay range from 2 mm to 5 mm.

In another aspect of the invention, the applicator may be in the form ofa paint brush (e.g., with bristles extending from a stem in a directionsubstantially parallel to an axis of the stem), such as a brush forapplying varnish to nails. Under such circumstances, the applicator maycomprise a stem to which a bundle of bristles may be fixed. The stem maycomprise a housing at an end portion of the stem, so that the bristlesmay be fixed to the stem by at least one of adhesion, stapling, andovermolding, for example. The housing may alternatively or additionallycomprise a cross-section that is oblong along a transverse axis ofgreater length.

In still another aspect of the invention, the housing may comprise across-section that tapers towards its inside end. This tapered portionmay correspond to a flare for the bristles. The end wall of the housingmay include a setback in which the bristles may be secured. The setbackmay comprise a flared portion that opens out towards its opening, so asto enable the bristles to splay apart from one another in order toconfer an enlarged shape on the bundle.

In yet still another aspect of the invention, the housing may bearranged in such a manner that the bristles may extend outside thehousing over a predetermined distance, where the distance may bemeasured parallel to the above-mentioned transverse axis. In variousexemplary embodiments, the length of the portion of the bristlesextending outside the housing in the stem may range from 5 mm to 20 mm,for example.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the free ends of thebristles may substantially define an arc of a circle having a radius ofcurvature ranging from, for example, 2 mm to 15 mm. In another aspect,the radius of curvature may range from 4 mm to 10 mm.

In still another aspect, the width of the opening in the housing,measured perpendicularly to the above-specified transverse axis, may beless than or equal to, for example, 2 mm.

In another aspect, the invention may include a device for applying aproduct (e.g., a nail varnish) to nails. The device may comprise areceptacle containing a nail product to be applied, and an applicator asdefined above.

In still another aspect of the invention, the greater transversedimension of the portion of the stem immersed in the product containedin the receptacle, when the applicator is in place thereon, may be lessthan or equal to 5 mm.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the stem may be arranged forfixing to a closure cap of the receptacle. Alternatively, the stem andthe closure cap may be integrally formed as a single piece via, forexample, molding from a suitable material, such as a plastics material.

Another aspect of the invention may include a device for applying aproduct to at least one of eyelashes and eyebrows. For example, thedevice may comprise a receptacle containing an eyelash and/or eyebrowproduct to be applied, and the applicator as defined above. Whereappropriate, the device may further comprise a wiping member configuredto wipe the applicator. Still another aspect of the invention mayinclude a method of applying a cosmetic product. The method may compriseproviding the applicator as defined above, and applying the cosmeticproduct using the applicator. The product may be a nail varnish or amascara.

The term “providing” is used in a broad sense, and refers to, but is notlimited to, making available for use, enabling usage, giving, supplying,obtaining, getting a hold of, acquiring, purchasing, manufacturing,selling, distributing, possessing, making ready for use, and/or placingin a position ready for use.

Aside from the structural and procedural arrangements set forth above,the invention could include a number of other arrangements, such asthose explained hereinafter. It is to be understood, that both theforegoing description and the following description are exemplary.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate a number of non-limitingembodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve toexplain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an axial, partial cross-section view of a device for applyinga substance to, for example, nails, according to an exemplary embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an undulating portion of abristle.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary undulating portion having ashape that is different from the shape of the undulating portion of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing two undulating portions with patterns of thesame shape, but of differing amplitudes and spatial frequencies.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing two undulating portions with patterns of thesame shape, but of differing spatial frequencies.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing two undulating portions with patterns havingdiffering shapes from one another.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing three bristles, where one of the bristlescomprises a rectilinear portion and the other two comprise undulatingportions.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing two undulating portions made of bristles ofdifferent diameters.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the end of a brush made of bristles ofdifferent diameters.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a bristle comprising two undulatingportions with differing frequencies and amplitudes.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a portion of a bristle comprising arectilinear portion and an undulating portion.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a portion of a bristle that is undulatingand twisted.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the bristle of FIG. 12 along theXIII-XIII plane.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a portion of a bristle comprising a notchperiodic pattern.

FIGS. 15 to 17 are diagrams showing portions of bristles, illustratingother various examples of periodic patterns.

FIGS. 18 to 21 are diagrams showing various examples of pairs ofbristles having differing periodic patterns.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a distal end portion of a brush forapplying a substance, where the brush is made in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are diagrams illustrating exemplary variants of thebrush shown in FIG. 22.

FIGS. 25 to 27 are cross-sectional views of various exemplaryembodiments of a bristle bundle in an applicator.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are partial cross-sectional views of a brush,illustrating various exemplary embodiments of a housing in which thebristles of a brush may be secured.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are schematic illustration showing how bristles may besecured to a stem of an applicator by a staple, according an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 32 is a schematic illustration of how bristles may be secured to astem of an applicator, according another exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 33 is an axial, cross-sectional view of an applicator and packagingdevice for a substance for application to eyelashes and/or eyebrows.

FIG. 34 is an end view of the brush shown in FIG. 33, as seen in thedirection of the arrow XXXIV.

FIG. 35 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary view showing the bristles heldbetween the twisted branches of the brush core shown in FIG. 33.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary variant of the brushshown in FIG. 34.

FIGS. 37 to 47 are diagrammatic cross-sectional views of exemplaryembodiments of a brush envelope, illustrating various possible shapes.

FIG. 48 is a schematic diagram illustrating how a core of a brush may beoff-centered.

FIG. 49 is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a dual core(bristles not shown).

FIGS. 50 to 66 are schematic cross-sectional views of various examplesof bristles.

FIGS. 67 to 71 are diagrams showing distal end portions of variousexamples of bristles.

FIG. 72 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary cross-section view of anapplicator comprising undulating teeth with different periodic patterns.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. It is to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are notrestrictive of the invention, as claimed.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for packaging and applying a substance (e.g., anail varnish V) to a body portion, such as, for example, a nail or hair.The device 1 may comprise a receptacle 2 containing the varnish V and anapplicator 3 constituting a brush. The applicator 3 may comprise ahandle member 10, a rectilinear stem 4 extending from the handle member10 along a longitudinal axis X, and a bundle of bristles 5 fittedproximate the end of the stem 4. The handle member 10 may alsoconstitute a closure cap for the receptacle 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle 2 may contain a ball 6, such as, forexample, a metal ball, which may enable the varnish V to be moreuniformly mixed prior to application by shaking the device 1.

The stem 4 may be made of, for example, a plastic material and mayinclude a skirt 8 at its top end for securing the stem 4 to a housing ofthe handle member 10. The handle member 10 may be configured to engagewith the neck 11 of the receptacle 2 via a suitable mechanism known inthe art, such as, for example, a thread fitting, an interferencefitting, or a snap-fastening. A collar 12 may be formed at the base ofthe skirt 8 so as to bear against the top end edge of the neck 11 whenthe applicator is positioned in place on the receptacle 2.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the stem 4 may comprise aconical portion 13 beneath the collar 12, which may be configured toseal the receptacle 2 in a closed condition when the applicator 3 ispositioned in place thereon. Sealing may also be obtained by cooperationbetween surfaces of the handle member 10 and of the neck 11 of thereceptacle 2. Alternatively or additionally, any other sealingmechanisms known in the art may be used.

The stem 4 may also include a bottom end portion 14 which may beprovided with a housing 15 (not visible in FIG. 1, but shown in FIGS.28-31), within which the bristles 5 of the brush may be secured.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the bundle of bristles 5may comprise at least two undulating portions of different patterns.

FIG. 2 shows an undulating portion 20 of a bristle comprising aplurality of identical periodic patterns. More precisely, the bristlecomprises three identical periodic patterns, where each of the periodpatterns has a sinusoidal shape. Each periodic pattern in FIG. 2 may bedefined by the portion between two vertical dashed lines. One undulationportion 20 may correspond to succession of at least one indented portionin relief and one projecting portion in relief.

A periodic pattern of an undulation may be defined by its shape,amplitude a, and/or spatial frequency (i.e. the number of patterns perunit length of bristle).

In another aspect of the invention, the pattern may comprise any shapeother than a sinusoidal shape. For example, the pattern may be ofsawtooth shape, as shown in FIG. 3. For a sawtooth pattern, for example,the amplitude a may range, for example, from 20 μm to 3 mm, the spatialfrequency may range, for example, from 1/24 to ¼ of a periodic patternper millimeter, and the length may range, for example, from 1 mm to 24mm or from 4 mm to 24 mm.

FIG. 4 shows two undulating portions 20 with patterns of the same shape,but of differing amplitudes and spatial frequencies. By this exemplaryarrangement, spaces 21 may be formed between the undulating portions 20.These spaces 21 may serve to retain substance by capillarity when theuser withdraws the applicator 3 from the receptacle 2.

The undulating portions 20 with differing patterns may also enable abundle of bristles 5 to be spaced out more widely, so as to facilitatepicking up of a substance. According to another embodiment, theundulating portions 20 may comprise at least two undulating portions 20with patterns of the same shape, but of differing spatial frequencies.For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the two undulating portions 20 may havethe same sawtooth shape with the same amplitude, but with differingspatial frequencies. This exemplary arrangement may also form aplurality of spaces 21 between the undulation portions 20, serving as toretain a substance in the same manner described above with reference tothe embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, one of the twoundulating portions 20 may have a shape that is different from a shapeof the other of the two undulating portions 20. For example, as shown inFIG. 6, one of the two undulating portions 20 may comprise a sawtoothshape, while the other of the two undulating portions 20 may comprise asinusoidal shape.

All of the bristles in a bundle 5 may comprise one or more undulatingportions. Alternatively, as a variation from the embodiments shown inFIGS. 4-6, the bundle 5 may also include one or more bristles 23 havinga rectilinear portion 23, as shown in FIG. 7.

The undulating portions 22 may be made by extruding a fiber through adie having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the fiber and/orbringing the fiber into contact with one or more profiled rollers (e.g.in the form of gearing).

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or moreof the bristles in a bundle 5 may have a diameter that is different froma diameter of other bristles in the bundle, as shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view through, or an end view of, a bundle ofbristles 5 having a combination of smaller-diameter bristles andlarger-diameter bristles. By way of example only, the smaller-diameterbristles may have a diameter of 0.05 mm, and the larger-diameterbristles may have a diameter of 0.4 mm.

While an undulating portion 20 of a bristle may extend over the entirelength of the bristle, or only over a fraction of its length, a singlebristle may comprise a plurality of undulating portions 20 of differentpatterns. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a single bristle maycomprise two undulating portions 20 a and 20 b having different patternswith the same shape (i.e., a sinusoidal shape), but with differingamplitudes and spatial frequencies. It should be understood that thepatterns of two undulating portions 20 a, 20 b in a single bristle mayalternatively or additionally differ in their shapes, amplitudes, and/orfrequencies, as if they were two distinct bristles.

As another exemplary embodiment, FIG. 11 shows a single bristlecomprising both a rectilinear portion and an undulating portion.

Alternatively or additionally, the bristle may be both undulating andtwisted simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 12. In still another exemplaryembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a bristle of non-circularcross-section may include a capillary groove 22. In this exemplaryembodiment, the bristle may be twisted so that the capillary groove 22may form a helix along the length of the bristle.

According to still another embodiment of the invention, a periodicpattern in a bristle may be defined by a portion of the bristle thatrepeats in a periodic manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, thepattern may correspond to a portion of a bristle (i.e., a portionbetween two dashed vertical lines) including a notch 100, where thebristle is marked at regular intervals with the notches.

A periodic pattern may also be defined by a portion of a bristle havinga variable cross-section. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a periodicpattern may be defined by a portion between two dashed vertical lines,in which the cross-section 101, 102 of the bristle alternates between alarger cross-section 102 and a smaller cross-section.

In another exemplary embodiment, the periodic pattern may be defined bya certain distribution of filler particles 103, as shown in FIG. 16.Similar to the other embodiments described above with reference to FIGS.14 and 15, the distribution of filler particles 103 may repeatsubstantially at regular intervals along the length of the bristle.

Still another exemplary embodiment of the invention may provide abristle comprising an undulating portion with filler particles 103disposed at regular intervals, as shown in FIG. 17.

FIGS. 18-21 show various exemplary embodiments of a pair of bristleshaving different patterns, in which at least one of the bristlescomprises a notch and/or filler pattern. For example, in an embodimentshown in FIG. 18, the two bristles may comprise a rectilinear bristlehaving regular notches 100 and a bristle having an undulating portion20. In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 19, one of the undulatingportions may include a filler that is distributed in a periodic manner.FIG. 20 shows the possibility of mixing bristles comprising undulatingportions with or without notches 100. FIG. 21 shows the possibility ofmixing bristles comprising undulating portions with notches disposeddifferently on the bristles.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the lengthof the bristles in a bundle 5 may be selected in such a manner that thefree ends of the bristles may align substantially in a common planeperpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the stem 4, as shown in FIG.22. In a variant, the free ends of the bristles in the bundle 5 may besituated on a surface C that is not flat plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis X of the stem 4. Instead, the surface C may form aconvex plane going away from the stem 4, as shown in FIG. 23, or anyother desired shapes. In another variant, as shown in FIG. 24, the freeends of the bristles of the bundle 5 may be situated substantially alonga surface extending obliquely relative to the axis X of the stem 4.

The bundle 5 of bristles may present different cross-sectional shapes.As shown in FIG. 25, the brush may be flat, and the cross-section of thebundle 5 may be substantially rectangular. Alternatively, the brush maybe round. For example, the cross-section of the bundle 5 may becircular, as shown in FIG. 26, or curved, as show in FIG. 27, so as tobetter conform to a shape of a round body portion, such as a nail. It isto be understood that the bundle 5 of bristles may form any other shapeand/or cross-section (e.g., a shape and/or cross-section) depending onthe shape of the body portion for which the bundle is intended to beused).

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the stem 4 may include a housing 15 forsecuring the bundle 5 therein. The housing 15 may have a constantcross-section, as shown in FIG. 28, thus making it possible, forexample, to obtain a brush with bristles that are relatively tight.Alternatively, the cross-section of housing 15 may have a shape thatdiverges towards the distal end. By this arrangement, the bristles 5 mayspread apart to a greater extent from one another so as to form abroader bundle of bristles, as shown in FIG. 29. In various exemplaryembodiments, the length l of the portion of the bristles extendingoutside the housing 15 may range from 5 mm to 20 mm, for example.

In another aspect, the bristles of the bundle 5 may be secured to thehousing 15 by at least one of stapling, adhesion, melting, orovermolding.

As an example, a method of securing the bundle 5 to the housing 15 bystapling is described herein with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31. As shownin FIG. 30, a staple 30 may engage the bristles of bundle 5 atsubstantially halfway along the length of the bundle 5. The staple 30may then be pushed into the opening of the housing 15 together with thebristles of bundle 5, thereby causing the bundle to fold in half andpress against the edge of the housing 15. The staple 30 may then beengaged as a force-fit inside the stem 4 of the applicator 3.

Another exemplary method of securing the bundle 5 to the housing 15 ofthe stem 4 may be to apply an adhesive, as shown in FIG. 32, and then toinsert the bundle 5 by force into the stem 4 and/or to staple ittherein. If the bundle is used to apply varnish, since the varnish V maycontain a solvent suitable for dissolving a film of adhesive depositedon the bristles, the brush may be immersed in the varnish V contained inthe receptacle 2 to dissolve the adhesive film away. Prior to applyingthe adhesive, the bundle 5 may be folded in half about the location ofthe staple.

Another packaging and applicator device for a substance in accordancewith the invention is shown in FIG. 33. The device may comprise areceptacle 40 containing a substance P (e.g., mascara) for applying toeyelashes or eyebrows, and an applicator 41 comprising a stem 42 havinga longitudinal axis X. The applicator 41 may comprise a brush 43 at oneend and a handle member 44 at the other end. The handle member 44 mayalso serve to close the receptacle 40. The receptacle 40 may have a neck45 with an outside thread so as to enable the handle member 44 to bescrewed thereon.

The device may also comprise a wiper member 46 fixed inside the neck 45so as to be used to wipe the stem 42 and the brush 43 as they leave thereceptacle 40. The wiper member 46 in the example shown may comprise aflexible lip 47 defining a circular orifice of diameter correspondingsubstantially to the diameter of the stem 42.

The invention is not limited to a particular wiper member (and at leastsome embodiments could be used without any wiper member at all), butother wiper members known in the art may alternatively or additionallybe used. For example, wiper members comprising a block of foam and/ordefining one or more optionally-flocked slots may be used alternativelyor additionally.

In the example shown in FIG. 33, the stem 42 is rectilinear, however acurved stem may also be used without going beyond the ambit of thepresent invention. In addition, while the stem 42 is shown to be fixedrelative to the handle member 44, it should be understood that the stem42 may be movable relative to the handle member 44 by a suitablearticulating member, such as, for example, a ball-and-socket joint.

The brush 43 may comprise a core 50 which may be made up of two or moremetal strands twisted together. The core 50 may be fixed at one end to ahousing in the stem 42 by, for example, force-fitting the core into thehousing.

The brush 43 may also comprise bristles which are held between thetwisted strands of the core 50 via, for example, clamping, as can beseen in FIG. 35. In FIG. 35, the core 50 is shown as seen from the sidewith the proximal end of the brush 43 being on the left and the distalend of the brush 43 on the right. In this arrangement, the brush may besaid to be “twisted to the left.” When the core 50 is twisted to theleft, the branches of the core 50 may form turns which are seen to risefrom left to right, when the brush is observed while it is in a verticalposition with its end fixed to the proximal end of the stem 42 situatedat the bottom and its free end (i.e., its distal end) situated at thetop. An exemplary core that is twisted to the left is described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,227,735. The invention may also be applied to brushes havinga core that is twisted to the right, and to brushes having cores thatare not twisted with the bristles being fixed, for example, by beingstamped into the core, as described in European Patent Application EP A1 155 637. The invention may also be applied to brushes having bristlesthat are fixed to the core by staples or by overmolding the core on thebristles. Other arrangements are also possible.

The bristles of the brush 43 may comprise undulating pqrtions 20 whichmay be similar to those described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 12.The bristles of the brush 43 may also comprise periodic patterns asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 14 to 21.

The brush 43 may comprise an envelope surface defined by the free endsof the bristles. The surface may form a circular cross-section, as shownin FIG. 34, or a non-circular cross-section.

FIGS. 37-47 show various exemplary embodiments, among otherpossibilities, of an envelope surface of a brush. For example, anenvelope surface of a brush may have a substantially polygonalcross-section, such as, for example, substantially triangularcross-section (FIG. 37), substantially rectangular or squarecross-section (FIG. 38), substantially pentagonal cross-section (FIG.39), or substantially heptagonal cross-section (FIG. 40). In addition,an envelope surface may form a substantially oval cross-section, asshown in FIG. 41.

FIGS. 42 and 43 show, among other things, a possibility of using thebrush with at least one notch 55, which may form an outwardly concaveshape as shown in the figures. The notch 55 may comprise a cross-sectionthat is constant or changing along the brush. The notch 55 may be formedin a brush having a circular cross-section, as shown in FIG. 42, or in abrush having a non-circular cross-section, such as, for example, asubstantially triangular cross-section, as shown in FIG. 43. In a brushhaving a triangular cross-section, the notch 55 may constitute a side ofthe triangle, in which case the brush may present a facet that isconcave.

In another exemplary embodiment, it may be possible to make a brush withat least one substantially plane facet 44, as shown in FIG. 44. In stillanother exemplary embodiment, it may be possible to make a brush with atleast one indentation 57. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 45, the brushcomprises three indentations.

FIG. 46 shows a variant embodiment of a brush having two indentations57, and FIG. 47 shows another variant embodiment of a brush having onlyone indentation 57.

The brush may include a constant cross-section. The brush may alsoinclude a rectilinear core. The core 50 may also be centered oroff-centered relative to the outline of the envelope surface when thebrush is viewed in its cross-section. By way of example, FIG. 48 shows abrush with a core that is off-centered.

The bristles of a brush may be subjected to mechanical beating.Alternatively or additionally, the brush may be brought into contactwith a treatment member comprising a heater element, for example whilethe brush is being driven in rotation, thereby imparting a permanentdeformation to the bristles of the brush, as shown in, for example, FIG.36. The brush may be rotated in either the clockwise orcounter-clockwise direction. In various exemplary embodiments, the brushmay be rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the twistin the core.

The core 50 may be made by a variety of different methods. For example,the core may comprise a dual core made up of two or more individualcores 50′ and 50″, as shown in FIG. 49, that are twisted with respect toeach other. Each individual core 50′, 50″ may comprise two strands thatare twisted together to form a single core 50′, 50″ and that clamp ontobristles. It should be understood that any other suitable method knownin the art may alternatively used to make the core 50, 50′, 50″.

The core may be made using one or more metal strands having a circularcross-section. The strands may optionally be sheathed.

In various other exemplary embodiments, the bristles may have a varietyof cross-sectional shapes other than the circular shape. For example,bristles may have a cross-sectional shape of any one of the shapes showndiagrammatically in FIGS. 50 to 66. That is, the cross-sectional shapeof the brush may include, but be not limited to, a circular shape with aflat side (FIG. 50), a flat shape (FIG. 51), a star or cross shape (FIG.52), a shape having three branches (FIG. 53), a U-shape (FIG. 54), anH-shape (FIG. 55), a T-shape ((FIG. 56), a V-shape (FIG. 57), a hollowcircular shape (FIG. 58), a hollow non-circular or polygonal (e.g.,triangular, square, pentagonal, or hexagonal) shape (FIG. 59), a shapethat presents ramifications, e.g. a snowflake shape (FIG. 60), a solidpolygonal shape, such as a triangular shape (FIG. 61), a square shape(FIG. 62), or a hexagonal shape (FIG. 63), an oblong shape, such as alens shape (FIG. 64), or an hourglass shape (FIG. 65). It may also bepossible to form bristles having portions that are hinged relative toone another, as shown in FIG. 66.

Where appropriate, the bristles may be subjected to a suitable treatmentprocess for forming an end ball 61 (as shown in FIG. 67), an end fork 62(as shown in FIG. 68), or a tapering tip (as shown in FIG. 69).

It may also be possible to form flocked bristles, as shown in FIG. 70.The bristles may be formed by extruding a suitable material (e.g.,plastic material) containing a filler particles 63, so as to impartmicrorelief to the surface of the bristles, as shown in FIG. 71, and/orto confer magnetic or other properties thereon. The bristles may also bemade out of a material having properties that facilitate sliding.

The bristles may be made of synthetic materials including but notlimited to polyethylene, polyamides, such as PA6, PA6/6, PA6/10 orPA6/12, PA11, and Rilsan®; a Hytrel-Pebax; and other suitablethermoplastic polymers.

The invention is not limited to the examples described above. Forexample, implementation details of various embodiments and examplesdescribed above may be combined with one another.

The applicator may present three or more sets of undulating portionsdiffering in pattern, diameter, and/or length.

The pattern of an undulating portion may not be a sinusoidal or sawtoothshape. In general, the pattern may have any shape that may besubstantially described by any periodic function. Thus, the pattern ofan undulating portion may also include a square wave shape, for example.

The applicator may not include undulating bristles. Instead, theapplicator may include undulating teeth, as shown in FIG. 72, where twoundulating teeth 110 may have different periodic patterns. These teeth110 may be made by molding a plastics material together with a support111. The support material and the material of the teeth may be identicalor different from each other.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the expression “a”should be understood as being synonymous with “at least one” (i.e.,relating to both the singular and the plural) unless otherwise specifiedto the contrary.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the structure andmethodology of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the examples discussed in thespecification. Rather, the present invention is intended to covermodifications and variations.

1.-80. (canceled)
 81. A device for applying a product to nails,comprising: a receptacle containing a nail product to be applied; and anapplicator for applying the product to the nails, the applicatorcomprising a plurality of applicator elements, wherein the plurality ofapplicator elements comprises a first applicator element having at leastone undulation, and a second applicator element that is substantiallyrectilinear, and wherein a first periodic pattern of undulations repeatsalong the first applicator element.
 82. The device according to claim81, wherein at least two different periodic patterns of undulationsoccur on the first applicator element.
 83. The device according to claim82, wherein each of the at least two different periodic patternscomprises at least one undulation having a shape that is different froma shape of at least one undulation of another of the at least twodifferent periodic patterns.
 84. The device according to claim 81,wherein the at least one undulation comprises a shape selected from asawtooth shape and a sinusoidal shape.
 85. The device according to claim81, wherein the first and second applicator elements comprise bristles.86. The device according to claim 85, wherein the applicator comprisesbetween 30 percent and 60 percent bristles that are substantiallysimilar to the first applicator element.
 87. The device according toclaim 82, wherein each of the at least two different periodic patternscomprises at least one undulation having an amplitude that is differentfrom an amplitude of an undulation of another of the at least twodifferent periodic patterns.
 88. The device according to claim 82,wherein each of the at least two different periodic patterns comprisesat least one undulation having a spatial frequency that is differentfrom a spatial frequency of an undulation of another of the at least twodifferent periodic patterns.
 89. The device according to claim 81,wherein the second applicator element comprises regularly occurringnotches.
 90. The device according to claim 81, wherein the firstapplicator element has a diameter that is different from a diameter ofthe second applicator element.
 91. The device according to claim 81,wherein the first applicator element comprises a plurality of periodicpatterns along its entire length.
 92. The device according to claim 81,wherein the first applicator element comprises a length different from alength of the second applicator element.
 93. The device according toclaim 85, wherein at least one of the bristles comprises a twistedbristle.
 94. The device according to claim 85, wherein at least one ofthe bristles comprises a non-circular cross-section.
 95. The deviceaccording to claim 85, wherein at least one of the bristles comprises asolid cross-section.
 96. The device according to claim 85, wherein thebristles comprise at least two different kinds of bristles.
 97. Thedevice according to claim 85, wherein the bristles are secured in ahousing by at least one of an adhesive, stapling, overmolding, andstamping.
 98. A device for applying a product to nails, comprising: areceptacle containing a nail product to be applied; and an applicatorfor applying the product to the nails, the applicator comprising: aplurality of bristles, wherein a first bristle in the plurality ofbristles comprises at least one periodic pattern, wherein a secondbristle in the plurality of bristles is substantially rectilinear, andwherein the at least one periodic pattern repeats regularly along thefirst bristle, wherein the applicator includes a stem, the plurality ofbristles being secured in a housing at an end portion of the stem, thehousing presenting a shape that diverges towards the outside so that theplurality of bristles form a broader bundle.
 99. The device according toclaim 98, wherein the first bristle comprises at least two differentperiodic patterns.
 100. The device according to claim 99, wherein eachof the at least two different periodic patterns comprises at least oneundulation having a shape that is different from a shape of at least oneundulation of another of the at least two different periodic patterns.101. The device according to claim 98, wherein the at least one periodicpattern comprises a shape selected from a sawtooth shape and asinusoidal shape.
 102. The device according to claim 98, wherein theapplicator comprises 30 to 60 percent bristles that are substantiallysimilar to the first bristle.
 103. The device according to claim 98,wherein one of the plurality of bristles has a diameter that isdifferent from a diameter of another of the plurality of bristles. 104.The device according to claim 98, wherein the first bristle comprises aplurality of periodic patterns along its entire length.
 105. The deviceaccording to claim 98, wherein at least two of the bristles in theplurality of bristles comprise lengths different from one another. 106.The device according to claim 98, wherein at least one of the bristlesin the plurality of bristles comprises a twisted bristle.
 107. Thedevice according to claim 98, wherein at least one of the bristlescomprises a non-circular cross-section.
 108. The device according toclaim 98, wherein the bristles are secured to the housing by at leastone of an adhesive, stapling, overmolding, and stamping.